A parallel inauguration of the Ramanattukara-Vengalam reach of the national highway 66 was held in Kozhikode, Kerala, on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) by leaders of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in protest against the alleged exclusion of State Public Works Department (PWD) Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas from the official inauguration ceremony opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kochi.
The protest event, launched with a roadshow near Ramanattukara, was led by Mr. Riyas and local party workers who shouted slogans against the Union government flaying the “exclusion” of the Minister from the official function. LDF leaders and elected local body representatives were among the protesters who also accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders of planning the “deliberate exclusion”.
The roadshow led by PWD Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas on the Ramanattukara-Vengalam reach in Kozhikode on Wednesday. | Video Credit: K. RAGESH
“The exclusion is a humiliation to the State. This (kind of exclusion) will never support a democratic system. People of our State are very much aware of our contributions to the project realisation“, said Mr. Riyas.
He added that apart from “mere fund approvals”, there were a lot of human intervention which supported the speedy execution of the infrastructure project.
‘Departure from protocol’
LDF leaders who took part in the roadshow criticised the Union government, calling the exclusion “a departure from established protocol” in infrastructure projects implemented with State cooperation. They pointed out that the project would not have become a reality if the State government had not cooperated with the land acquisition procedures and related developmental needs.
The protesters argued that excluding the State’s representative from the ceremony “undermined the cooperative federal spirit” and disregarded the contributions of the Kerala government. They also claimed that the rehabilitation of those who had lost their land for the highway development would not have been completed successfully without the cooperation of the State government.
Protocol followed: BJP
Meanwhile, BJP leaders clarified that all official protocols were followed as such in connection with the State-level inaugural event. They said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was invited to the event representing the State.
“The invitation was sent several days in advance and there were no protests at the time of accepting the invitation,” they claimed.
The 28-km Ramanattukara-Vengalam reach is part of the ongoing widening of NH-66 in Kerala, one of the State’s largest road infrastructure initiatives. The corridor forms a key segment connecting Kozhikode city with the northern part of the State and the neighbouring district of Kannur. The upgrade aims to improve traffic flow, road safety and reduce travel time along the busy coastal highway.
Curated by Aisha Patel
